Following a review the Kirklees Council’s cabinet has pledged to keep all 26 libraries in the borough open.

It follows a period of uncertainty and public consultation into the future of the library service.

Last year the council revealed a controversial proposal to remove employees from village libraries in Golcar, Lepton, Shepley, Slaithwaite, Honley, Denby Dale and Kirkheaton.

Officials had hoped that volunteers would come forward to take over the centres.

Clr David Sheard, cabinet member for resources, said: “There is nothing in this next budget which changes the libraries.

“The consultation details haven’t come through yet. With the budget this year we’re having to use council finances to bide our time and work on strategic plans.

“The feedback will help us do that.

“There’s no doubt all council services will be on the table. We have to save £60m in the next few years. But the Labour budget, which has to go to full council, doesn’t include any changes to the libraries.”

There are fears Batley Library could close and be relocated, but Clr Sheard said at the last cabinet there were no “concrete proposals” but they were looking at the costs of the building, not the capital worth of the building.

At this week’s Holme Valley Area Committee chief librarian Carol Stump said feedback from the public consultation was still being collated and would be made public in the coming weeks.

But she said they were disappointed at the low number of people who took part in the Honley, Holmfirth and Meltham library consultations.

She said: “In Honley we had 46 people take part in the consultation which unfortunately is disappointing, there are 1,028 people as members and 30,000 a year visit Honley Library.”

Of the 46 participants 13 people commented on opening hours.

The chief librarian said: “Opening hours was something which came up several times at several libraries and we will be looking at how we can run the library services more efficiently.”

She said 31 people took part in the consultation at Meltham Library and 32 at Holmfirth Library.

“People have told us they want to access more council services at libraries, so it’s something we’re looking at. At Honley Library people can get their blue badges and be signposted for benefit advice.”

Clr Ken Sims, chairman of the Holme Valley Area Committee, said: “The biggest thing last year was the objection to what was being considered.

“Our group has been working with the cabinet and the council and I’m pleased to say there are no plans to close libraries in the next 12 months.

“What happens after that we don’t know. They’re setting a one-year budget, after that there will be a three-year budget plan and we can’t predict what will be in it.”

A petition of 8,000 opposing the overall changes was handed in to the council last year.